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What's The Story Behind Windows Phone 7.8?

A quick recap first of all. Microsoft’s latest version of their mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8, was launched at the end of October and the handsets are now available in stores now. WP8 was announced over the summer and in an effort to keep everyone with the existing hardware (that would not support Windows Phone 8), Microsoft talked about an intermediate version of Windows Phone, running between the upcoming WP8 and the then current WP7.5.

That version would be Windows Phone 7.8, and would bring some of the major features of the new OS to the older hardware, although the really interesting stuff that needed a faster processor (and different architecture) would be left for the newer handsets.

It was an interesting approach to try and avoid the problem of depressing sales on older models when announcing a newer model. While I’m waiting to see more numbers and details to answer the question of ‘did the strategy work?’, it’s worth pointing out how important Windows Phone 7.8 will be to the platform.

Most importantly, it keeps a lower cost version of Windows Phone alive for the manufacturers. Windows Phone 7 is a known quantity and requires a much lower specification of device to run. Android gains much of it’s market share in the low-end smartphone devices, an area where Windows Phone 8 hardware would struggle to be profitable. That wouldn’t be the case for a Windows Phone 7 device.

Windows Phone 7.5 is stable, it works well, so why go to all the hassle of reworking the operating system push it through network qualification, and then do a worldwide roll-out with hardware partners and multiple devices. The simple answer is apps. Every second review mentions apps, it’s all about apps in the mainstream, and I think this is the main reason for Windows Phone 7.8.

Windows Phone 8 brings in a number of changes to the user interface. The three different sizes of live tiles on the start screen is the obvious change, but there are more subtle changes inside the core applications and in the underlying code that developers work with. Microsoft have made a big play about application compatibility between Windows Phone 7 and 8, apart from some of the more advanced apps that require native C++ support (which will only run on Windows Phone 8 devices) the goal is to have apps running on both variations of the platform.

And that would be a lot easier with a consistent UI and developer APIs. The major part of Windows Phone 7.8′s job is to ensure that the older hardware reference designs are compatible with the latest coding developments.

Consumers paying attention will also note that the older handsets are continuing to receive support from the manufacturer and OS partner years down the line. That reassurance could be enough to help swing the decision on customers looking at a two-year contract. They see Microsoft doing the best it can for existing customers as they push their platform forward.

Windows Phone 7.8 is essentially a rejuvenation potion. Existing Windows Phone users get a refreshed UI and the promise of compatibility with many of the applications about to be released for Windows Phone 8; Manufacturers have a lower cost platform that I presume meets the requirements the networks have for a lower priced smartphone; and Microsoft has a happy ecosystem on the Windows Phone platform.

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